© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

10. Summary [8m] According to Kurlantzick, how do authoritarian governments manage the Web? Using relevant material from paragraphs 3 to 5, summarise the ways in which they do so. Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as possible.

Authoritarian governments manage WKH:HE« Lift Paraphrase A Many have developed highly sophisticated «to come up with extremely advanced methods of monitoring and filtering Web ways (1/2) to keep an eye on/track and/or sites (line 17) screen/sieve/censor online content/pages (1/2) B «DUHlearning IURPHDFKRWKHU¶Vfilters (line They adopt/copy/exchange/share one 18) DQRWKHU¶V screening methods AFFHSWOLIWRIµILOWHUV¶ 'RQRWDFFHSWµWHFKQRORJ\¶IRUµILOWHUV¶LILW is not linked to point A C Use state-backed commentators«(line 21) Employ government-approved/- sanctioned observers/reporters/officials« .H\LGHDµVWDWH-EDFNHG¶ (1 mark) D «to control online discourse (line 21) «WRGLFWDWHLQIOXHQFH/shape/restrict/ regulate online/Web discussions E « and threaten political opponents (line 21) « and to intimidate enemies of the state/antagonists 0 markµFRHUFH¶µEODFNPDLO¶ F «savvy autocrats create their own [portals] Astute/ clever dictators can start/commission/have their own portals (lines 24-25) /online gateways AFFHSWOLIWRIµSRUWDOV¶ G «will not include content about [that allow them to] leave out controversial topics (line 26) information/issues/subjects that are contentious/potentially divisive H perpetuate a fiction of a free Internet«(line Give/continue/sustain the illusion of 31) / users often think they are seeing the uncensored online content VDPH,QWHUQHWDVVRPHRQHLQ«DQRWKHUIUHH AFFHSWOLIWRIµ,QWHUQHW¶ country (line 32) òPDUNLIDQVZHUOLIWVµIUHHGRP¶ I «while quietly blocking politically hot sites «HYHQDVWKH\VHFUHWO\UHVWULFWDFFHVVWR (lines 31-32) politically contentious/popular Web pages AFFHSWOLIWRIµSROLWLFDOO\¶ © RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

J «monitor political activists (line 35) / Track/Spy/Keep an eye/Keep a watch on follow dissidents OLQH « SURWHVWHUVRSSRQHQWV« K «activists«are EXLOGLQJ«GRVVLHUVRI >,1)(5(1&(@«E\getting details/data information about themselves (line 38) about who they are L «and track groups online rather than [INFERENCE] Observe/Trail these people having to infiltrate meetings«LQSHRSOH¶V virtually instead of physically homes or in bars (lines 41-42) Answer must include the contrast between virtual and physical tracking

Sample summary: Authoritarian governments use the Web to come up with extremely advanced ways to keep an H\HRQDQGVFUHHQRQOLQHFRQWHQW7KH\FRS\RQHDQRWKHU¶VVFUHHQLQJPHWKRGVDQGHPSOR\ government-sanctioned observers to influence Web discussions and to intimidate enemies of the state. Astute dictators can commission their own portals and leave out information that is potentially divisive. They give the illusion of uncensored online content even as they secretly restrict access to politically contentious sites. First 8 points ± 75 words when expressed succinctly

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

12. AQ

Sheridan argues that the Internet plays a crucial role in building democracies, whereas Kurlantzick is of the view that the Internet does not spread freedom.

How far do you agree with their views?

Support your answer by referring to what you have read in both passages and to the situation in your society. [8m]

For a reasonably competent discussion, candidates are expected to:

x Make reference to and show engagement with some key ideas in the passages with evaluation/comment, and not just pick examples to agree or disagree with. For example: o 3DVVDJH3DUD³GLFWDWRUVKLSV«ZRXOGIDOOZLWKWKHFOLFNRIDPRXVH´ o 3DVVDJH3DUD³IXWLOLW\RI«FHQVRUVKLS´ o 3DVVDJH3DUD³ILFWLRQRIDIUHH,QWHUQHW´ x There must be clear justification of their view/position, and the justification must be backed by concrete examples from their society. For example, in the context of Singapore: o The influence of OB markers on Internet discussion/dialogue o Self-censorship o Selective blocking of sites as a symbolic gesture of Web regulation/control = ³OLJKWWRXFKUHJXODWLRQ´ (e.g. pornographic/illegal drugs/fanatical religious sites) o Government using the Web for outreach, feedback o PAP embracing the Web out of necessity in spite of initial reservations > ³VDYY\ DXWRFUDWV´#3DVVDJH3DUD@ o Monitoring of online activity resulting in arrests, punishment, etc (recent case of self-radicalized NS man) o Online petitions to change/challenge/influence policy (e.g. petition re: Mother Tongue weightage in the PSLE) x Students should be able to show nuanced application / critical evaluation of ideas from the text to the situation/dynamics in their own country, instead of making sweeping/unconvincing parallels. For example: o In Singapore, although there is a lot of online activity, not much of it actually translates actual activism, protests (vs. Thailand) o In Singapore, the majority of online comments tend to gravitate towards socio- economic issues rather than real political issues x Students can frame their responses according to various domains ± e.g. social / political / economic x NOTE: Students are NOT required to fully agree or fully disagree with either text, unless they can present a convincing case for doing so © RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

AQ Ȃ More possible points / examples / arguments

From Passage 1 (ƒ””‡––Š‡”‹†ƒǡDzŠ‡ –‡”‡– ‡Ž’•—‹Ž†‡‘ ”ƒ ‹‡•dz) From passage Possible points / arguments / examples A. Autocrats have Government use of Internet: Students need to be "mastered the use of careful about making sweeping accusations of cyberspace for Dz’”‘’ƒ‰ƒ†ƒȂ vs. ’”‘’ƒ‰ƒ†ƒdzȋlines 12- genuine effort by government to engage the ground 13) E.g. x Dz‹‰ƒ’‘”‡Ž‡ –‹‘•dz’ƒ‰‡‘ ƒ ‡„‘‘ȋfans from both the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) as well as opposition political parties. Almost 300 people have signed up and they include Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu, PAP Members of Parliament Lim Biow Chuan and Zaqy Mohamad, as well as grassroots organisations such as Aljunied GRC.) x Ministers on Facebook (Deputy Prime Ministers Wong Kan Seng and Teo Chee Hean, and Ministers George Yeo, Yaacob Ibrahim, Vivian Balakrishnan and Lim Hwee Hua) x Central Singapore District Mayor Zainudin Nordin, an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, has received requests from residents seeking jobs. "It is an enabling tool that allows residents to communicate with us easily, and see what we are up to," he said. x Senior Parliamentary Secretary and North East District Mayor Teo Ser Luck said a key advantage of Facebook is that it consolidates information from a variety of people at a glance. "It has helped me know better what people feel about a range of issues and how they respond to our work," said the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP who has his own Facebook site. x Young PAP on Facebook

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

From Passage 1 (ƒ””‡––Š‡”‹†ƒǡDzŠ‡ –‡”‡– ‡Ž’•—‹Ž†‡‘ ”ƒ ‹‡•dz) From passage Possible points / arguments / examples B the use of online tools Hardly any of this in Singapore. and mobile phones to organize protesters and ˜‡–Š‡‰ƒ›”‹‰Š–•‡˜‡–ƒ–’‡ƒ‡”ǯ•‘”‡”‹ƒ› project their message ʹͲͳͲ™ƒ•–‘—–‡†„›‘”‰ƒ‹œ‡”•’‹†‘–Ǥ•‰ƒ•DzT a around the world (lines protest, rally or demonstration but a simple 22-23) gathering of like-‹†‡†‹‰ƒ’‘”‡ƒ•dz (http://www.pinkdot.sg/index-2010.swf). Of course, the organizers were granted a permit to hold the event Ȃ which Šƒ”†Ž›ƒ‡•‹–ƒDz’”‘–‡•–dzǨ C just how powerful an ‘Dz™ƒŽŽ‘ˆ™ƒ–‡”dzhere?: Students can reflect that organizing and even though many Singaporeans are Net-savvy, communicating tool the many may not be involved in activism. In fact, even Internet is, even when those who want more say in governance & policy limits are placed on it. are not stepping up to get involved And when dictators fight x Dz  ™ƒ––‘Šƒ˜‡ƒ‰”‡ƒ–‡”•ƒ› back against it, they're and be more involved in the political process pushing against a wall of and policymaking compared to 12 years ago, water. (lines 29-31) according to a new study. Yet, the study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) found that when it came to actually making their views on public policy issues known to the Government, just 8 per cent actually did soǥdz (ST, 2 Aug 2010)

BUT there is the possibility/threat of the Net enabling those who are self-radicalised Ȃ e.g. NS man Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid arrested on April 4, to be detained for two years under the Internal Security Act (ST, 7 Jul 2010) D heavy-handed Web Š‡‘ˆˆ‹ ‹ƒŽŽ›ƒ†‘’–•ƒDzŽ‹‰Š–-–‘— Šdzƒ’’”‘ƒ Š censorship tactics, to Internet regulation in Singapore [see Annex A at blocking many foreign the end of this document]. sites and e-mail programs (lines 37-38)

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

From Passage 1 (ƒ””‡––Š‡”‹†ƒǡDzŠ‡ –‡”‡– ‡Ž’•—‹Ž†‡‘ ”ƒ ‹‡•dz) From passage Possible points / arguments / examples E the futility of its Students would be hard pressed to find good censorship. Their choice evidence of the government clamping down on the was a binary one: accept Internet. In fact, its stance is to increasingly loosen that the Web cannot be control & move with the times, largely in controlled, or eliminate it recognition of the fact that (a) it is hard to police altogether. Choosing the –Š‡‡–Ǣȋ„Ȍ‹‰ƒ’‘”‡ ƒ‘–ƒˆˆ‘”†–‘„‡Dz ›„‡”- latter sets a nation on a Žƒ†Ž‘ ‡†dz‹ˆ‹–•‡‡•–‘ ‘–‹—‡†‡˜‡Ž‘’‹‰ path to becoming the next (economically, socially, politically, etc.) Hermit Kingdom, a decision that almost every x Š‡‡š– ‹•Ž‹‡Ž›–‘•‡‡Dz’‘† ƒ•–•ƒ† nation is unwilling to vodcasts put out by political parties as part of make (lines 44-46) their I–‡”‡–‡Ž‡ –‹‘ƒ†˜‡”–‹•‹‰dzȋǡͳͲ ƒ 2009) x –‡”•‘ˆDz‡‰ƒ‰‹‰‡–‹œ‡•dzǡMinister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lee Boon Yang signalled a "mindset change" in a Government that had previously kept cyber chatter at arm's lengthǥThe Government is now "fully into e-engagement" (ST, 10 Jan 2009) F the path toward Students will need to cite good examples of †‡‘ ”ƒ ›‹•ƒŽ‘‰‘‡ǥ Dz†‡‘ ”ƒ–‹  ‘•‘Ž‹†ƒ–‹‘dzȂ i.e. political/activism It's during that long sites that have good, sharp analysis (vs. process Ȃ which Dz‰”—„Ž‹‰dz„Ž‘‰•ǡ Šƒ–”‘‘•ˆ—ŽŽ‘ˆ˜‹–”‹‘Ž„—–Ž‹––Ž‡ academics such as substance, etc.) Huntington call "democratic Online political sites, e.g.: consolidation" Ȃ that the (1) http://theonlinecitizen.com/ Web's impact will be most TOC began in December 2006 with a simple felt. (lines 47; 51-52) aim in mind: telling the stories about ‹‰ƒ’‘”‡ƒ†‹‰ƒ’‘”‡ƒ•–Šƒ–™‡”‡ǯ– being told in the mainstream press. Blog site which endeavours to reflect the views and opinions of ordinary Singaporeans (2) http://thevoiddeck.org/ This website is about the goings-on of the Internet regarding Singapore issues both close and not so close to our heart.

Students may also wish to reflect on the © RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

Dz”‘ƒ†„Ž‘ƒ •dzˆƒ ‹‰•— ŠDz†‡‘ ”ƒ–‹  ‘•‘Ž‹†ƒ–‹‘dz–Šƒ– ‘‡•not from the government but from the people themselves, e.g.: x Lack of political maturity Æ grumbling, personal attacks, unsubstantiated accusations/criticism, etc. Ȃ e.g. attack against Young PAP member in early 2010 (accusing him of using his grassroots connections to drum up business for his events management company) x Singaporeans still trying to decide how much –Š‡›™ƒ––Š‡‰‘˜‡”‡––‘„‡DzŠƒ†•‘ˆˆdzȂ could be a case of wanting their cake & eating it too? E.g. in the cases of Pastor Rony Tan making insensitive remarks about Buddhism and 3 teenagers making online racist comments: Dzǥwhen it comes to remarks on race and religion, the instinctive reflex is to summon the authorities. Indeed, the irony of anti-establishment netizens clamouring for the iron fist of the law did not pass unnoticeddz (ST, 6 Mar 2010).

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

From Passage 2 (Joshua —”Žƒ–œ‹ ǡDzŠ‡‡„‘‡•ǯ–’”‡ƒ† ”‡‡†‘dz) From passage Possible points / arguments / examples A Online activists in many Sharper students would reflect on whether places have much less activism online may actually be problematic given freedom than they did how public such activism may be, and not only four years ago as well. because of government monitoring or control. (lines 11-12) Full-time national serviceman (NSF) Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid was arrested on April 4 and will be detained for two years under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

B monitoring and filtering –—†‡–•™‘—Ž†„‡Šƒ”†’”‡••‡†–‘Dz’”‘˜‡dz–Šƒ– Web sites (line 17) arrests of activists (e.g. self-radicalized NS man Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid) was due to government monitoring/filtering of the Internet or ‘Ž‹‡Dz–”ƒ ‹‰dz‘ˆƒ –‹˜‹•–•ǤŠ‡”‡’‘”–•‹ newspapers tend to be silent about how such radicals are tracked down, and whatever is reported can be taken as facts that have surfaced after arrests are made Ȃ e.g. Dz ƒ†‹Ž„‡‰ƒœ‡ƒŽ‘—•Ž› surfing the Internet for jihadist propaganda and ˜‹†‡‘•™Š‹Ž‡•–—†›‹‰‹ƒŽ‘ ƒŽ’‘Ž›–‡ Š‹ ǥHe later made contact online with a known radical, Anwar Al-Awlaki, and with an Al-Qaeda recruiterǥdz (ST, 7 Jul 2010)

However, there have been calls/recommendations of proactive official measures that can be taken in the fight against state threats, and students need to reflect on why such measures may be necessary (for national security, racial harmony, etc.), e.g.: Dz”‡Ž‹‰‹‘—•ƒ† ‘—‹–›‹•–‹–—–‹‘•ǡ‰‘˜‡”‡– agencies and think-tanks should work together to identify best practices in building "theological and ideological firewalls". Such firewalls would help "immunise" the wider population against violent ‡š–”‡‹•–‹†‡ƒ•ǥdz (ST, 8 Jul 2010)

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

From Passage 2 ( ‘•Š—ƒ—”Žƒ–œ‹ ǡDzŠ‡‡„‘‡•ǯ–’”‡ƒ† ”‡‡†‘dz) From passage Possible points / arguments / examples C use state-backed ‰ƒ‹ǡ•–—†‡–•™‘—Ž†„‡Šƒ”†’”‡••‡†–‘Dz’”‘˜‡dz commentators to control that this is being practiced in Singapore. They must online discourse and avoid simplistic arguments, e.g. that the presence of threaten political official/government websites & portals points to opponents (line 21) the attempt to control/curtail open discourse.

Students may also consider the conservative mindset of many Singaporeans, who actually see the Internet as a tool for propagating shared/desired social practices & ideals. They need to consider if many Singaporeans actually want some control/policing of the Internet in order to preserve social order, impart desired values, e.g.:

Current: Dz—‹•ȏŠƒ•Ȑ•‡–—’ƒonline portal for ›‘—‰’‡‘’Ž‡–‘“—‡”›”‡Ž‹‰‹‘—•–‡ƒ Š‡”•Ǥdzȋǡͳʹ Jul 2010)

Proposed: DzOne new idea thrown up by a community leader who does not want to be named is that of a national council to prevent radicalisation. He suggests it could work like existing national councils on drug abuse and crime prevention, which focus on raising awareness of these issues.dz(ST, 12 Jul 2010) D And rather than just put E.g. http://www.gov.sg/ ȋǯ’‘”‡‰‘˜–’‘”–ƒŽȌ Ȃ portals in the hands of Students need to reflect on whether such Western companies, government portals are there for authoritarian savvy autocrats are control or for improving transparency, providing ”‡ƒ–‹‰–Š‡‹”‘™ǥ information to citizens, allowing feedback channels, government-backed etc. Again, they cannot merely label a website as an search engine (lines 24- Dzƒ—–‘ ”ƒ–‹ dz–‘‘Ž–Š‡‘‡–‹–„‡Ž‘‰•–‘–Š‡ 25; 27-28) government!

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

From Passage 2 ( ‘•Š—ƒ—”Žƒ–œ‹ ǡDzŠ‡‡„‘‡•ǯ–’”‡ƒ† ”‡‡†‘dz) From passage Possible points / arguments / examples E — Š‘ˆ–Š‡’—„Ž‹ ǥŠƒ• Here agaiǡǯ•DzŽ‹‰Š–-–‘— Šdzƒ’’”‘ƒ Š‡ƒ• no idea how much news that Singaporeans actually enjoy a great deal of and information they are unfiltered web content. missing out on in their filtered Web universe / users often think they are seeing the same Internet as someone in the U.S. or Japan or another free country (lines 29-30; 31- 32) F political activists [are] Similar to the approach to point A above Ȃ students creating their own need to reflect on how the public nature of the personal Web pages or Internet makes online activism/protest particularly Facebook pages, activists problematic, e.g.: in countries like Iran are x Dz[Self-radicalized NS man Muhammad Fadil building the kinds of Abdul Hamid] searched for bomb-making dossiers of information information online, and posted a self-made about themselves (lines video glorifying martyrdom and justifying 37-39) suicide bombingǤdzȋST, 7 Jul 2010) x Dzȏʹ͹-year-old Abdul Malik Mohammed ŠƒœƒŽ‹Ȑ™ƒ•ƒ””‡•–‡†ǥƒˆ–‡”Š‡posted comments related to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on a Facebook groupǥȏ•ƒ›‹‰Ȑ it was time to "burn Vivian Balakrishnan and the PAP" (ST, 26 Aug 2010)

Students could also reflect on how such online ’‘•–• ‘—Ž†„‡Dz‘—–‡†dz„›ˆ‡ŽŽ‘™ ‘ ‡”‡†‘” offended citizens, and comment on whether this actually underlines –Š‡ –‡”‡–ǯ•’‘™‡”ƒ•ƒ –‘‘Ž‘ˆ†‡‘ ”ƒ ›ǡ‰‹˜‹‰Dz’‡‘’Ž‡’‘™‡”dzƒ boost & allowing them to participate in active & responsible citizenry

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

From Passage 2 ( ‘•Š—ƒ—”Žƒ–œ‹ ǡDzŠ‡‡„‘‡•ǯ–’”‡ƒ† ”‡‡†‘dz) From passage Possible points / arguments / examples G It also has become easier Students need to recognize that, for opposition for the security services ’ƒ”–‹‡•‘”Dz†‹••‹†‡–•dzǡ–Š‡ –‡”‡–‹•ƒ†‘—„Ž‡- to follow dissidents, since edged sword. While it offers them a fast, effective they can track groups of way to reach a bigger audience, it also opens them them online rather than up to scrutiny by the authorities. having to infiltrate meetings of dissidents in —–ƒ‰ƒ‹ǡ•–—†‡–•™‹ŽŽ‘–„‡ƒ„Ž‡–‘Dz’”‘˜‡dz–Šƒ– people's homes or in bars the PAŠƒ•ƒ––‡’–‡†Ȁ‹•ƒ––‡’–‹‰–‘Dz‹ˆ‹Ž–”ƒ–‡dz (lines 40-42) any opposition/dissident group, whether online or offline Ȃ they should avoid such baseless accusations!

Some examples of opposition online presence:

Singapore Democratic Party: http://yoursdp.org/

‘”‡”•ǯƒ”–›ǣhttp://wp.sg/ + Youth Wing: http://wpyouth.sg [On Twitter: http://twitter.com/wpsg/]

© RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2010

Annex A: http://www.mda.gov.sg/PUBLIC/MEDIACLASSIFICATION/Pages/Internet.aspx

Light-touch Regulation x In regulating the Internet, MDA adopts a balanced and light-touch approach to ensure that minimum standards are set for the responsible use of the Internet while offering maximum flexibility for industry players to operate. x MDA also encourages industry self-regulation and public education efforts to complement its co-regulatory approach.

ǯ• —‹†‡Ž‹‡• x MDA has established an Internet regulatory framework to promote and facilitate the growth of the Internet while at the same time safeguarding social values, and racial and religious harmony. x MDA's focus is with the provision of Internet content to the public, and one of its main concerns is the ease of access to pornography on the Internet, especially by the young. x ǯ• ‰—‹†‡Ž‹‡• †‘ ‘– ‘˜‡” ™‡„’ƒ‰‡• ‘’‡”ƒ–‡† „› ‹†‹˜‹†—ƒŽ• ƒ† ’‡”•‘ƒŽ communications such as email and instant messaging.

Cyber Wellness x MDA recognises the need to educate the public on the positive as well as the hazardous ƒ•’‡ –•‘ˆ–Š‡ –‡”‡–Ǥǯ•‡†‹ –‹‘’”‘‰”ƒ‡•‡‡•–‘’”‘‘–‡‡†‹ƒŽ‹–‡”ƒ › and discerning use of the media. A key component of this programme is the promotion of cyber wellness. x Cyber wellness refers to the positive well-being of Internet users and a healthy cyber culture for the Internet community. It involves an understanding of the risks of harmful online behavior, an awareness of how to protect oneself and others from such behavior, and recognition of the power of the Internet to affect oneself and the community at large. x The four core values underpinning the cyber wellness vision are: · balanced lifestyle · embracing the Net and inspiring others · astuteness · respect & responsibility

Internet Filtering Features and Software x MDA has received feedback outlining the concerns of parents and schools about the dangers of the Internet, especially its impact on the young. x To address these concerns, the MDA has worked with the three Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Singapore to provide optional family access networks that parents can subscribe to for their children. All the ISPs launched their family access networks in 1998. x Meanwhile, stand-alone filtering software such as CyberPatrol and NetNanny are also available on the market. x With these services and such software, parents can be better equipped to help their children access the Internet safely.